Picture shows Loughborough College students at the Space Engineering awards ceremony including back row second left, Nigel Grainger, third left Connor Mugglestone, centre Course Lead Paul Olbison and far right Jessica Bains with Rowan Mawby front row far left.

THE first ever students to complete the country’s only post-16 space engineering course have been honoured by Loughborough College at a glittering ceremony marking their achievements – including international job and university offers.

Certificates and trophies were awarded for dedication and academic achievement at Leicester’s National Space Centre for the pioneering group who have received more than 20 offers from top universities in the US as well as the UK, prestigious scholarships and a coveted place with a leading global company.

Launched by Loughborough College in association with the National Space Academy in 2012, the two-year course has seen students enjoy a host of high-profile experiences including a message from Professor Brian Cox, a Parliamentary Space Committee reception at the House of Commons and meetings with Science and Universities Minister David Willetts, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock and astronaut and YouTube star Colonel Chris Hadfield.

One of the night’s award winners, Jessica Bains, has been accepted by the University of South Florida to study for a Masters degree in physics with maths and engineering, and has been offered a full scholarship.

She said: “I am so excited. I won’t be that far from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, it’s like a dream come true.

“I might have been a bit hesitant about doing something like this a couple of years ago but the space engineering course has given me so much confidence I just can’t wait to get out there.

“The great thing about the course is it gives you so many options – I’ve also been offered places at King’s College in London and at the University of Leicester.”

Professor George Fraser Award for Academic Achievement winner Nigel Grainger agrees. He has won a place with top aerospace company Airbus.

“I could have taken the university route alone but I decided I wanted to do something more hands-on and I was thrilled when I found out Airbus were offering me a place on their undergraduate apprenticeship.

“It’s a mix of workplace experience and study over four years, with a salary, which also gives me a university degree at the end of it.

“Because the space engineering course combines A-levels in maths and physics with BTEC engineering taught in a space context, you get a combination of academic and practical skills which open so many doors.”

Rowan Mawby also received a Professor George Fraser Award for Academic Achievement and Connor Mugglestone was honoured for his dedication to the course.